Three cities through our iPhones & favorite editing apps

Our bags are unpacked for a bit, laundry is almost caught up on and we’re happy to be back to Sierra and her garden bubbles. You know your pup missed you when they don’t want to leave your side, even when you’re in the shower! Though we were away from Sierra, she was certainly mentioned during all our presentations over our 3 city tour.

Sunset over Texas, no filter

Over the last 10 days, we’ve been on the road to Seattle, San Antonio and Baltimore. But unlike many of our other work travels, these trips were so personal because we were able to meet some truly amazing people, food bloggers, moms and their kids. Our last 10 days were filled with many hugs, tears, and shared stories of joy and sorrow.

Thank you to everyone who were were so lucky to have met, hugged and cried with! From the crazy karaoke antics, the heartfelt confessions, and the late night pajama talks, you make our travels so much more meaningful.

clouds in Baltimore, MD

Even in the chaos of conventions, workshops, and traveling rigor, we still managed to photograph some favorite moments. Though our dslr’s were brought along on all of the trips, it was often our phones which we used to capture the special moments. Moments of spontaneity or ones calling for photographer discretion. The iPhone is our favorite tool to capture life as it happens in front of us, instantly and as real as possible.

Mobile photography is a wonderful creative outlet, whether you are a hobbyist or a full time pro. It is taking photography down to its pure basics; light, composition, and timing. And since we got our iPhones, we’ve been able to witness and share life as it happens in front of us instantly through our love of Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Plus with the help of some favorite editing apps, its fun to capture and share what we witness wherever we travel.

We taught some mobile photography topics at our portrait photography workshops in San Antonio and Baltimore and anytime we talk about iphoneography, so many of us start to geek out on our favorite apps. So here are some of our favorite iPhone editing apps (we’d love to hear your favorites):

Filterstorm

Snapseed

Bleach Bypass

Picture show

Noir Photo (for black and white)

Dramatic black and white

Seattle, BlogHer Food:

It started in Seattle at BlogHer Food 2012 where we opened with presenting the morning keynote on finding your voice and storytelling. We shared our process of storytelling, how to find your voice and embracing all your imperfections. Some videos and images of our young kid days were shared for all to see and it certainly was humbling to see our crazy kiddie pictures up on the screen! Thanks everyone for laughing next to us and not at us! 😉 Sometimes ya just gotta open yourself up for all to see to truly appreciate your imperfections.

We taught photography workshop to moms and bloggers. The best part of this was being able to meet so many of them with their kids! Thank you to Invisalign and Momitforward for inviting us to participate in their luncheon to teach the workshops!

Thank you so much for sharing these! My husband (my blog’s photographer) just got an iPhone, and didn’t know about these.
Also, I saw on Facebook this morning where Alli Worthington was looking for photo editing apps for her iPhone, so I shared your list with her. Thanks!!!

It was so good to see you both and spend time with you. xoxo miss you guys already! I need to check out the other apps. BTW, so glad you had BBQ in Texas!! I can only imagine Austin next year in June. I’ll be there with bells on!

I met you all in San Antonio at your presentation at the Witte. Your pictures are beautiful and I feel really inspired to capture more of my life through pictures – especially with two little girls. I was wondering about the images you captured of strangers – what is the etiquette for taking/using photos of people you just see around town? It’s something I struggle with…seeing what I think is a beautiful shot….but not wanting to intrude on someone. Any thoughts?

Jessica- everyone has their own comfort level of how to photograph and how much, so as a photographer you have to gauge what works for you.
If we do show people, normally it’s those we know and it’s always in a positive context. If we show strangers, it’s normally of a crowd or group without any focus on individual faces. Many times, these strangers know we’re photographing them and they’re acknowledging the situation. And again, it’s always in a positive context, not ever negative or exploitive.

Your session at Blogher Seattle was one of the most memorable. I have shared Sierra’s garden tour with all my dog loving friends and the concensus is stunning. Stunning music. Stunning editing. Stunning garden. And of course, stunning puppy. Thank you for such a great session. You have changed my perspective of video and blogs!

I heard you guys at BlogHer. You did a fantastic job, & have such a synergy between the two of you. I aspire to your kind of authentic, real, raw style. You guys are so inspiring!

I have an old school phone (not an iphone). Can I still use my camera for instagram? Are there editing programs for non-iphones? I’m so behind the times, but I don’t think I’ll be getting an iphone anytime soon but I want to hop the camera-photo bandwagon (even though I have a DSLR) because there are so many times when I want to take a pic & all I have is my phone. Great for capturing real-life, in the moment photos.

Janae- thanks for coming to blogher and connecting with us! Instagram is currently available for iPhones and androids. For other phones, you need to google and see if there are photo editing apps available for your specific mobile.

I am kicking myself I didn’t go to BlogHer. I would have loved to see you and hear you speak. I heard you rocked it!

And good tips about apps. I have pulled back from iphonephotography lately. So much to do and I haven’t been instagramming as much but need to get back into it because I “miss” everyone and their updates!